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Sweden

As I'm really new to this I'm just curious about how importtant it is to have a seed that is used to the climate I'm going to grow in.

Example: My goal in the first year is to grow a pumpkin that weighs +200 lbs.
Is it better for me in Sweden to use a seed that is know to produce several +400 pound pumpkins in Sweden compared to use a seed that has produced several +800 pound pumpkins in Texas?

And how much weight should I put in seeds from the climate compared to all the other aspects of pumpkin growings?

8/1/2006 4:57:45 AM

Nashville, TN

I've been 'testing' dozens of varieties for their 'climate' tolerance for the last two seasons... From my observations - those varieties that did well in my patch last year - are the same varieties handling it this year. Some of the new varieties planted this year are also doing well - but these varieties have generally been grown in climates similar to mine. The varieties that haven't done well each year - generally come from cooler climates to mine.

Regardless of where you end up getting your seed - try and make sure it's from a similar climate. I'd recommend finding growers in the North, Northwest of the USA to ship from - I believe they'll have similar climate to Sweden.

Get a bunch of different varieties. Plant one of each (as many as you have space for). This way - if some handle it, and some don't.. You haven't staked your whole growing season on just one variety.

Good luck!

8/1/2006 7:27:28 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

We all plant the same variety C Maxima. While some seeds tend to tolerate certain conditions better than others they are all of the same variety. You will find the harder you work to create a micro climate the better the pumpkin will produce for you. Such as a greenhouses,soil heating cables, and space heaters for cool climates and misters and shade cloths for Texas and So California heat.

8/1/2006 11:10:39 AM

Nashville, TN

Correction: we all plant the same Species: C.maxima

Varieties are created by breeders for specific traits, different gene expression... Here is a short list of 'C.maxima' varieties (as listed in HortScience 40(6):1620-1630, 2005):

Queensland Blue hubbard Squash, Delicious, zapallito, Zuni, Buttercp, Golden Hubbard, warzywna, greengold, warted hubbard, golden delicious, ispanskaya, Emerald, Riesen-melonen, Altlantic Giant. - yes, ALL are C.maximas - but they are completely different in the genes they express.

Some varieties have been grown through enough generations in certain climates - that the genes they most often express is more suitable for that climate. Those varieties that didn't have those particular genes - generally didn't thrive and reproduce.

8/1/2006 5:45:09 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Lets have a show of hands of the people on the website that plant the same variety of C Maxima Atlantic Giant. I believe this is what he is asking about since he has asked this question on a website that refers to giant pumpkins.

8/1/2006 10:10:31 PM

Nashville, TN

Considering I have varieties that consistantly produce All white, All Orange, All Green, Bicolor, Wheels, Spheres, Footballs, 1,000pounders, 200pounders, etc....

I just CAN'T consider them genetically identical varieties - wouldn't be consistent with the horticultural definition for that terminology.

8/2/2006 10:03:53 AM

Sweden

Yes, I was talking about genetic varietes in Atlantic Giants. And thanks to scienceteacher-guy from whom I got some very informative mails:)

8/2/2006 1:24:49 PM

Nashville, TN

scienceteacher-guy

ummmm... That's Scienceteacher-gal.. LOL

8/2/2006 3:46:51 PM

Sweden

Hehe (tries intensly to figure out a witty answer to get out of the situation - gives up).
Opps, sorry :)

8/2/2006 4:14:47 PM